T-ReCS

Overview of T-ReCS's Capabilities

T-ReCS (Thermal-Region Camera Spectrograph) is a mid-infrared imager and long-slit spectrograph built by the University of Florida for Gemini South. In 2003B, the imaging and low resolution spectroscopic modes of the instrument were commissioned. The commissioning of the medium resolution N-band spectroscopy mode (a.k.a. "Hi-Res" mode) followered in 2004B. These modes are now available for general use.

The instrument design is intended to be relatively simple and optimized for low thermal background, high throughput, and excellent image quality to take advantage of the high thermal-infrared performance of the Gemini telescopes. T-ReCS, when combined with Gemini's fast tip/tilt compensating secondary mirror, will yield nearly diffraction-limited 10 µm images under most natural seeing conditions.

Announcements

T-ReCS Science Highlights

How to Use These Pages

The Gemini instrument pages first give the status of the instrument and its availability in the current and next semesters. The information is then organised initially by instrument mode, followed by technical information necessary for writing a proposal and detailed observation planning, and then content relevant to reducing and interpreting data.

Please see also the Mid-IR Resources section, which contains generic information about observing in the mid-IR, as well as details about calibrations, standard stars etc. that apply to T-ReCS, Michelle and TEXES.